The Flowers

"Celebrating Christian Women" (2008)

In May, the Church was decorated by a display of floral arrangements on the theme "Celebrating Christian Women". 

(Click pictures below for larger image)

PORCH Two contemporary arrangements.
CHILDREN'S CORNER BEHIND DOOR Old photographs from Stonehouse School, now demolished
FIREPLACE Jesus asked a Samaritan woman for a drink at Jacob's Well even though drinking from the same vessel would have been against Jewish Law. She had such faith in his words that she fetched other villagers to hear Him.
OLD ORGAN St. Brigid, Abbess founded at Kildare the first women's religious community among the Irish and holds a unique position in the Irish church. Her remains are said to be buried with St Patrick's. Churches in England and Scotland are dedicated in her honour as St Bride.
NEW ORGAN Female priests follow in the footsteps of Abbess Brigid and Abbess Hilda in promoting the gospel.
WINDOW St. Julian of Norwich wrote 'The Revelations of Divine Love', revealed to her through her devotion to God and His unfailing love for us shown in her own words: 'All shall be well and all manner of things shall be well.'
WINDOW Mary Magdalen was the first follower to visit Jesus' tomb and thought that the figure present was the gardener but when He called her name she recognised him as the risen Jesus. He told her to tell His other disciples of His resurrection.
WINDOW Gladys Aylward's Missionary application was refused so she paid her own passage to China by working as a Maid. Her rich employer was sympathetic and introduced her to her friend who ran a mission called 'The Inn of the Sixth Happiness'. When the Japanese invaded China and destroyed the Mission, Gladys led the children to safety over the mountains and handed them over to the very person who said she was unqualified to be a Missionary.
WINDOW Sister Frances Dominica, born 1942, is the founder of Helen House, a children's hospice which gives respite and terminal care to children with life-limiting illness and practical support to their families. In 2003, she also founded Douglas House, a hospice for people between the ages of 16 and 40, opened by the Queen.
BEAM Frances Ridley Havergal 1836-79 daughter of Rev. Havergal of Shareshill, wrote wonderful hymns, giving great joy. The most famous being: 'Take my life and let it be, Consecrated, Lord to Thee'.
STANDING Abbess Hilda born a princess, built the first monastery at Whitby in 657AD to the service of God in learning, holiness and influence. She led her community towards an ideal of Christian perfection by her words, example and prayers. St Bede lists 7 Monks who became Bishops under her tutelage.
LEFT OF ALTAR Mary, Mother of Jesus had to accept that the son she had cradled in her arms as a baby was going to die a hideous death and that she would witness it.
RIGHT OF ALTAR Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist was too old to have children but Zechariah, her husband was told by Angel Gabriel that she would bear a son who would be filled with The Holy Spirit from birth and must be named John; he would be strong and mighty and prepare the way for Jesus.
STANDING Mrs. Noah supported her husband Noah and believed God's warning to him that a great flood was to cover the earth and a dove and rainbow would be signs that all in the Ark would be saved.
WINDOW Vicars' Wives provide: tea, sympathy and support.
WINDOW Edith Cavell [1865-1915] Christian and nurse, assisted wounded British soldiers in Belgium to escape over the Dutch frontier during the first World War. She was executed as a spy even though she nursed German soldiers as well.
WINDOW Dorothy L. Sayers [1893-1957] Christian and author, wrote 'The Man Born to be King' commissioned in 1940 by the Director of Religious Broadcasting. The work was a series of plays, broadcast at intervals dealing with Jesus Christ's life from birth to resurrection. It was received with horror by some believers who objected to its modem language but was later heralded as a masterpiece.
WINDOW Reverend Helen van Koevering is ministering in Mozambique [with husband Mark and children]. She has to fit in with 'the African way of being, of practised patience, of living with the inexplicable and uncontrollable, and ultimately of letting God be God'.

Thank you for visiting St. John's Church. If you would like to know more about it please refer to a booklet on sale in Church.

FLOWER ARRANGER'S PRAYER
May God grant that our hearts, our eyes and our hands may receive His inspiration enabling us to glorify His house with the beauty of the leaves and blossoms which He has created.

With many thanks to all those who contributed to this beautiful and moving display.

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